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Children of single parents more likely to have behavioural problems

A new study has found that children of single parents more likely to have behavioural problems, the study analysed the effect of family patterns, economic status and parents' qualifications on the behaviour of children. Some 12 percent of the children who grew up with one parent displayed some sort of behavioural problems at age seven, it was revealed, compared with only six percent of the youths raised by both natural parents.

The disclosure is made as part of a larger study of about 14 000 children born in Britain between 2000 and 2002. The findings are a result of publicly funded Millennium Cohort studies involving 14 000 children born in Britain between 2000 and 2002. It found that the family makeup, parental education and income had a great effect on children's behaviour at a young age, that may have harmful long-term consequences.

The researchers analysed the impact of family factors on children's education and behavioural factors in a study, while in the second study were asked the 13 500 mothers to look at children's behaviour. In a separate analysis, The researchers also discovered that children with younger mothers had a much harder start in life than those with mothers of 30. They were far less likely to have married parents, and more than seven times as likely to have step-fathers, disclosed.

It it was discovered that 12% of children, that was taken care of by one parent and 15% of step-children had serious behavioural problems at age seven, compared with the 6% figure for adults brought up by both natural parents. As these experiences are particularly concentrated among children of young mothers, these findings provide support for policies aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy, researchers said. They also indicates that families with young parents can benefit from further targeted public sector support.